Black History Month 2023 – Misogynoir and Its Impact on Black Women

Misogynoir: Intersectionality – Race & Gender

Intersectionality refers to the experience individuals will have based on their protected characteristics and lifestyle attributes. This means that for Black women, we experience a unique phenomenon. We often describe this at Inclusive Employers as “a Black man may face Racism, a white woman may face misogyny, but a Black woman may face a unique combination of both commonly referred to as Misogynoir,” coined by Moya Bailey.

Misogynoir goes beyond the racist joke or comment, but it seeks to exclude, isolate, and frustrate Black Women. Consequently, it affects the health and well-being of Black women in the workplace.

Imposter Syndrome

“We are careful, calculating, and not fully sure of ourselves, even though we seem competent and feel that way based on our attitude, experiences, education, and background. But that fully invested sense of trust in ourselves, based on living the truth of who we are in professional spaces, just isn’t quite there.” – Elizabeth Leiba.

Black women can be led to start questioning whether they deserve to be in the position they are in. This can come from sarcastic comments, ridicule of skills, in customer facing roles where clients/service users/patients refuse care from Black female staff. An additional example is being promoted and being the only Black woman on the senior leadership team without any support. This trauma and stress can have a significant impact on Black women and cause something known as Allostatic load.

Allostatic load on Black women

“Black women in general “bear a large burden of allostatic load compared with either Black men or [w]hite women.”

The trauma of exclusion throughout one’s life can negatively impact marginalised individuals, specifically Black women. The buildup of prolonged stress on the body creates a flight or fight response, meaning that the more exclusionary behaviour and systemic structures impact a Black woman, the more traumatic impact on her physical and mental health. That means that before Black women get to work, they already carry an Allostatic load and then receive more misogynoir within workplaces, which adds to that.

For Women of Black Heritage:

“Black women continue to be strong, resilient and courageous, despite the fact that we are the most oppressed group in any society we live in” – Stella Dadzie 

“There is a lot of trauma that is tied up in the fabric of the racial identity known as Black, and it was created as a way to subjugate people, our identity, unfortunately. But Blackness is being reclaimed by the Black community, a space to find community, joy, and life”. – Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff

“Trust yourself. Think for yourself. Act for yourself. Speak for yourself. Be yourself. Imitation is suicide”– Marva Collins

This Black history month, I hope fellow Black women take the time to celebrate themselves and other Black women who inspire them.

More Black women to celebrate this Black History Month

Phillis Wheatley (1753 – 1784)

Phillis Wheatley was born in West Africa, sold as an enslaved person, and taken to America. While enslaved, she developed strong literary ability. She struggled to have her book published in America; therefore, she travelled to London and published her first Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, in 1773. Her story reminds us that it’s not about where you start but about the great things that can be achieved throughout the journey.

Mary Seacole (1805 – 1881)

Mary Seacole was born in Jamaica; she had a passion for travelling and nursing. Her nursing expertise saw her nursing individuals struck by Cholera. She desired to treat British soldiers in the Crimean War but was refused assistance. However, that didn’t stop her. She funded her way there. Her determination to live out her passion is something we can all learn from.

Yaa Asantweaa (1840 – 1921)

Yaa Asantewaa was a mighty Ghanaian Queen from the Ashanti tribe born in 1840 who broke traditional female roles. She fought against colonialism by leading a successful war against the British and protected the ‘Golden Stool,’ a sacred symbol of the Ashanti tribe. Her legacy reminds me of the intelligence Black women have and the powerful symbol of Black resistance.

Rosa Parks (1913 – 2005)

Rosa Parks – Known as the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement. She was part of the force that started the American Civil Rights movement by refusing to give up her seat for a white man on the bus in Alabama, as all of the white seats were taken. Rosa Parks stood up for herself and reminds Black women to do the same. She was arrested, and Martin Luther King led the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Lilian Bader (1918 – 2015)

Lillian Bader was among the first Black women to join Britain’s Royal Air Forces (RAF). In the early stages of life, she experienced racism and other forms of discrimination. She gained a job at the Navy Army and Air forces institute but was asked to leave due to the colour bar. Upon finding the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force was more inclusive, she trained as an instrument repairer and, by 1941, became the leading aircraft woman at the RAF. Her story is inspiring and enables Black women never to let go of their dreams.

Zadie Smith

Zadie Smith is a novelist who focuses on race and cultural identity, highlighting the storytelling element from different communities. Her work allows all people to see life from the lens of different groups. It reminds us as Black women to include our voices and other voices that have not been captured.

Baroness Doreen Lawrence 

Baroness Doreen Lawrence is the mother of Stephen Lawrence. Stephen Lawrence lost his life to racists in South London in 1993. After hearing his story years after, I greatly respect Doreen and the entire Lawrence family, who have never given up fighting for justice. Doreen was and has been met with much resistance. Doreen inspires me and many others to never give up, especially when I know something isn’t right, no matter how long it takes.

Margaret Busby

Margaret Busby is Britain’s first Black female and youngest publisher. Her company published various worldwide literature, which has been revolutionary, particularly in Daughters of Africa: An International Anthology of Words and Writings by Women of African Descent, edited by herself and featured over 200 women from Africa and within the Diaspora. Busby is an inspiration to all Black women, breaking through systemic barriers.

Margaret Busby is Britain’s first Black female and youngest publisher. Her company published various worldwide literature, which has been revolutionary, particularly in Daughters of Africa: An International Anthology of Words and Writings by Women of African Descent, edited by herself and featured over 200 women from Africa and within the Diaspora. Busby is an inspiration to all Black women, breaking through systemic barriers.

Malorie Blackman

Malorie Blackman is the author of over 70 books for children and young adults. She wrote the top-rated series Noughts & Crosses for young adults exploring race issues. Her work inspires young Black people to see themselves represented in literature where representation was lacking previously.

Additional Black Women creating impact.

Tips and resources for Black Women

“Freeing yourself was one thing; claiming ownership of that freed self was another.”– Toni Morrison

“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair” – Shirley Chisolm

Self-care is essential to the working environment to ensure people are conditioned to excel and working at their best selves. Black women must make self-care a priority. “It is a form of resistance”.

Here is my list of self-care tips:

• Say no, to structures and individuals that exhaust and do not recognize your worth
• Stay true to who you are. Do not conform to standards that do not support your greatness
• Find your voice & speak up when things are not right
• Rest – this one is easier said than done. But finish work when you’re meant to finish
• Be ambitious – strive for the best
• Do not overwork yourself – your mental and physical health is far more important than your career will ever be
• Support other Black women, listen to one another, and stand in solidarity
• When you have done all you can to thrive and succeed and are still not recognized for it, leave and pursue your development
• Set boundaries with other colleagues when it comes to subtle acts of exclusion.

Resources & Books for Black Women

• Take care: The Black Women’s Guide to Wellness by Chloe Pierre
• I’m Not Yelling by Elizabeth Leiba
• The Heart of the Race: Black Women’s Lives in Britain, By Stella Dadzie, Suzanne Scafe
• A Kick in the Belly: Women, Slavery and Resistance by Stella Dadzie
• Black Joy Edited By Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff And Timi Sotire
• Daughters of Africa: An international anthology of words and writings by women of African descent Edited by Margaret Busby
• Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Homecoming by Yaa Gyasi
• Self-Care for Black Women 150 Ways to Radically Accept & Prioritize Your Mind, Body, & Soul By Oludara Adeeyo
• Radical Self-Care is a Necessity for Black Women – Girls’ Globe
• The Greatest Serena Williams Quotes – Inside The Mind Of A Champion
• Self-Care and Wellbeing for Ethnically Diverse Women
• 5 Things I’ve Learned About Self-Care As a Black Woman
• Black women activists in Britain | The British Library

More resources about Black Women in the workplace

• Understanding barriers faced by Black Professional Women in Career Progression – YouTube
• BME Women and Work
• Black Women In Leadership Network
• Here’s Why We Must Stop Telling Black Women They Have ‘Imposter Syndrome’
• ‘Mediocre’ managers stifling black professional women’s careers, study suggests
• Race in the workplace: The McGregor-Smith review
• Black women are lowballed and overlooked at work. It’s time to pay us what we’re worth | Chandra Thomas Whitfield | The Guardian
• #BlackLivesMatter: Black female professionals’ experiences in the workplace | BERA
• BME women and work | TUC
• Women in the Workplace: Black women face more bias and get less support